From 8 pm last night by the invitation of " Tahkim Vahdat " several students gathered in front of Akbar Ganji's home , prayed and light the candle , soon the gathering was joined by many and poems by "Shamlu" was red and the gathering became more formal ."Simin Behbehani" The poem lady of Iran and others red poetry and music was played and song was chanted .........Many were present , Students , journalists and .................

Friday, July 29, 2005

GooyaNews: Latest about Ganji - Ganji on his 50th day of hunger strike !

Radio Azadegan in an interview with "Masumeh Shafiei "Ganji's wife:

Ganji's wife: On Thursday night before seeing Ganji i spoke with Mortazavi (Tehran public prosecutor) :

Mortazavi: We have to solve this situation nowGanji's wife: Mr. Mortazavi , you created this situationMortazavi: No, This situation is the situation of Shireen EbadiGanji's wife : What are you talking about !Mortazavi: Mrs. Ganji, The situation is very chaotic ! I'm here now for several hours , I was also to the bed of Ganji too, I have spoken to Ganji's doctors too, , He won't be alive until morning ! The hospital can't do anything and we have to transfer ganji from here .Ganji's wife : I have to see Ganji , I Can't trust your words now.Mortazavi:The problem must be solvedGanji's wife : The problem will be solved if you leave this file alone then it will be solved so quick.

Then She goes to visit Ganji and Mortazavi follows her , Ganji's doctor was also present. Ganji's wife explains that the situation is very horrendous and says that : wish that i diden't bring the children with me , the children upon seeing their father started crying, and the wife of Ganji believe that Akbar Ganji won't be alive and will die a few hours later !

The doctors let her to see Ganji for about 5 minuites , while they were on their way out Ganji trys to pull himself towards them and say goodbye while doing so he fells near the door, they take Ganji and put him on bed. With the persistance of Ganji's wife they inject him serum.Ganji's wife after saying this crys and says that for dying he is still very young and that she is ready to die instead of Ganji.

More than 100 personality with roses in their hands attended to Milad hospital where Akbar Ganji is a patient. Ganji is on the 12th floor of the hospital and Tehran prosecutors office is controling the hospital .12th floor is locked to visitors and the elevator is brought to disfunctional situation by the order of Mortazavi Tehran prosecutor and his agents controling the hospital . The hospital has been occupied by the agents of Tehran prosecutors office. As a result these 100 individual were unable to visit Ganji and therefore "stage a sit in" in front of the hospital .

Ganji is on his 50th day of hunger strike !

At the end of this action a resolution for the freedom of Ganji was issued. And Mr. Momeni the person who red the resolution was arrested but later released.

News-iran-emrooz :More than 2000 Iranian intelectuals as well as the world in a letter to Kufi Anan the General secretary of UN demanded from him to help to save the life of Akbar Ganji , the journalist who is near his death of defending freedom of expression. This letter was published in New York Times newspaper.News- iran-emrooz :Akbar Ganjis letter to Dr. Abdolkarim Sorush:" Khameneie Must go"

If i ignor the 2000 days that i spent in prison, I can't ignor the wide spread violation of human rights by Mr. Khameneie , the kingdom rule , the widespread governmental corruption , assasination of opposition and thousands of other concern.Khameneie must go because he can't tolerate others, Khameneie must go because the " chain murdering happened during of his rule, Khameneie must go because by his direct order more than one hundred newspaper and journalists have been imprisoned........Today all people who strive for democracy and social justice must hold eachothers hand to free Iran from the chain of kingdom, agreement on freedom , Democracy and human rights can open bright future for us.News indicate that Ganji is still on hunger strike in Milad hospital and his visitation rights are taken away from him .

Thursday, July 28, 2005

"ILNA" Masud Bastani , journalist who have attended on Monday evening In Milad hospital to collect information about Ganji have been arrested.

According to ILNA reporter , this journalist have been arrested by the agents and was transfered to Evin prison and the prosecutors office of # 9 region of the airport issued the temporary arrest.

A group of youth that are active in weblog writing gathered outside Milad hospital in solidarity with Akbar Ganji, have been arrested by police and plain cloth agents and were brought to an unknown location.Although 48 hours have past since the arrest , the parents of these youths does not know of their whereabout .

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

160 cultural,political and university activists wrote a letter to the head of judiciary about Akbar Ganji and requested that the file of Ganji to be taken away from Tehran prosecutor and be handed to himself !

News shows that there are no changes in the situation of Ganji and he is still in hunger strike and state of losing weight and his rights are being violated .

"Mr. Taraghi" the secretary general of the political committee of the " Islamic Motalefeh Party " * in speaking with " ILNA " said :

President elect Mr. Ahmadinezhad will replace NGO,s with mosques .* He said that ; The NGO,s are unmatched patches to the society that the future government will try to prevent their formation and will bring a suitable replacement for them.

In Persian "Taraghi" means developement , therefore Mr. Taraghi means "Mr. developement" , but what he & his party does is otherwise to keep Iran underdevelop.

Islamic Motalefeh Party* - Is a very conservative party with a very strong economical background and tie to Khameneei ( the leader of the Islamic Republic ).Mosque * - Perhaps "organization of mosque" will act as NGO,s .

Ganji's family : Ganji is on hunger strike in "Milad" hospital, information shows that Ganji's condition in hospital is worse than prison . Ganji's family , friends are not allowed to visit him, Ganji can't recieve his favourable newspaper, the hospital is in control of the agents from the public prosecutor office, and they control all traffics, the situation is completly unusual.

In a letter to hospital officials Ganji's family requested : " The Doctors in the hospital not to follow the suggestion of unreliable doctors " . Familys of Ganji believe that : " probably a few hand are trying through medical means to end the physical situation of Ganji ..... to end the whole problem......................

Ganji's family : Ganji is on hunger strike in "Milad" hospital, information shows that Ganji's condition in hospital is worse than prison . Ganji's family , friends are not allowed to visit him, Ganji can't recieve his favourable newspaper, the hospital is in control of the agents from the public prosecutor office, and they control all traffics, the situation is completly unusual.

In a letter to hospital officials Ganji's family requested : " The Doctors in the hospital not to follow the suggestion of unreliable doctors " . Familys of Ganji believe that : " probably a few hand are trying through medical means to end the physical situation of Ganji ..... to end the whole problem......................

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Our hunger strike in front of CJFE office and CJFEs call on Paul Martin the Canadian PM !

Media Release

July 19, 2005 -- Today, as imprisoned Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji enters the 39th day of his hunger strike in Tehran, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) urges Prime Minister Paul Martin to call on Iranian authorities for his release.

In 2000, Akbar Ganji was sentenced to six years in prison after writing a series of articles connecting high-level Iranian officials to the murders of several intellectuals in 1998. Prior to his imprisonment, Ganji was an investigative journalist for the now defunct Sobh-eEmrooz. In 2000, he was also the recipient of the CJFE International Press Freedom Award. He has reportedly been hospitalized due to his failing health and his family is said to have been denied access to him. Released on medical leave in May following an 11-day hunger strike, he resumed his protest when he was returned to Evin prison on June 11.

“Mr. Ganji is a very brave man whose mistreatment by his government is attributable only to its wish to muzzle a critic who has courageously exposed outrageous government abuse in the past,” said CJFE Executive Director Rod Macdonell. “If this abuse of Ganji continues much longer, the Iranian authorities will turn him into a martyr. Releasing him is a better option for the government of Iran as he will likely become a thorn in its side, which, in true democracies, is what good journalists ought to be, and what accountable governments must endure.”

According to the Reuters news agency, Ganji has lost 40 pounds and is suffering from acute asthma that he developed in prison. He has been repeatedly denied medical treatment and his family fears that his sentence will be extended to prevent his release. His on-going persecution has already cost him more than five years of freedom and now it may cost him is life.

CJFE calls on the Prime Minister Martin and the Government of Canada to join with the European Union and the President of the United States in denouncing the treatment of Akbar Ganji by the Iranian government and to demand his unconditional release.

CJFE is an association of more than 300 journalists, editors, publishers, producers, students and others who work to promote and defend free expression and press freedom in Canada and around the world.

For more information, contact Julie Payne at (416) 515-9622 or e-mail: jpayne@cjfe.org

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Toronto Hunger Strike in Support of Akbar Ganji On Tuesday July 18, members of the Centre for Dialogue and Human Rights in Iran, a Toronto based organization, commenced a hunger strike in solidarity with journalist and Iranian Political prisoner Akbar Ganji. The strike is being held at 489 College St., at the offices of the Canadian Jounalists for Freedom of Expression one of the many groups that have lent support towards the fight to free Akbar Ganji.

The hunger strikers are calling for the unconditional release of Ganji, stating that his arrest and imprisonment was illegal in the first place. “Ganji is a symbol of Iran’s fight against the totalitarian regime of the Islamic government” explained Said Soltanpour the coordinator of the centre.

The strikers include Rosa Rozbahani, Reza Reisdana, and Morteza Abdoulian all members of the Centre for Dialogue and Human Rights in Iran.

....This voice is the voice of peaceful co-existance , toleration of others, love to humanity, sacrifice for people, search for truth, love for freedom , love for democracy, respect for dissent, accepting different style of living, separation of government from civil society, separation of private life from public life, separation of religion from government, equality of all human , rationality, federalism within a democratic Iran , rejection of violence,.......

This candle is going out but this voice , will bring louder voices ! Today is ( Sunday July 10/2005 ) , its exactly 30 days after the start of my hunger strike , during two stages of hunger strike ( 11 days in the end of May and 30 days from june 11 ) , my weight have reduced to 55kg from 77 kg, meaning 22 kg less during 41 days of hunger strike . For many who are living in the country as well as outside, this question exist that why i have decided to go to hunger strike and why through killing myself I want to arrive to my legitimate goals. Isen't it that by the rules of rationality, in order to reach to the goal, the tools and ways must suit oneanother ? Isen't it that the rules of rationality of openion for all claims ( beliefs ) is to have enough reason? Now what am i doing , is it suitable with the rationality of openion and deed ? What i have decided to follow, won't make me like a crazy person to the rational people , freedom lovers and human rights defenders ? At this time while i am pretty weak I'll try to explain clearly my position to all.

.....................................This is just a portion of the letterTranslated by IRAN WATCH CANADA

Mohammad Khatami, George Bush, Leaders of European countries, madam Shireen Ebadi , Iranian and world intelectuals and thousands of people demand to save Ganji's life from death .

Ganji is on his 33rd days of hunger strike , world rallies intensified on saving Ganji's life . president of Iran and U.S , European leaders , human rights organizations , journalists reformists and a few conservative member of the parliament are looking into ways for bringing an end to the hunger strike.In the meantime madam Shireen Ebadi , The Noble Peace Priz winner as an acting lawyer for Ganji who is currently in London has said: We must speed up to free Ganji from this situation because he is geting closer to death by moment.

" They want Ganji to apologize and beg for his release and Ganji says that he haven't done anything wrong to apologize , beside he has been wrongfully imprisoned for more than 5 years . Ganji is the symbol of resistance and a great defender of free expression not only in Iran but around the world as well , and at the time when free expression is under fire with his hunger strike he spreads the need to free expression " *

According to news from Evin prison, the officials in Evin prison yesterday tried to bring to Ganji some food in a tray while he wasn't sober and later they came back with food and his room was in disorder and there was shouting banning them to do what they intended to do. There is a saying that on the 35th days of Ganji's hunger strike he may probably go into comma . The pictures that are taken from him in prison , show him lying without being sober and these pictures within hours was on the worlds internet sites and he became one of the Irans most famous prisoner.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Coming together in front of Tehran University to save the life of Ganji , Ganji on his 28th day s of hunger strike !

More than 380 cultural and political personalities in Iran in a communique asked the people in defense of the life of Akbar Ganji to come together in front of the door of the University of Tehran on Tuesday July 12 / 2005 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. In the communique we read:

" Without the doubt people like Ganji , won't embrace the death themselves, but for telling the truth about the anti- people activities of the security agencies which we were from time to time witnessed , he has put his life in danger and without the doubt if he will die this way , this will bring more shame to those who are hunting the truth finders" .

" Before it will become late , with all strength , lets strive for the release of all political prisoners who are only armed with pen and telling the truth ".

Friday, July 08, 2005

With the continuation of hunger strike , The situation of Akbar Ganji hase become more critical !

Shireen Ebadi :" All my effort and the effort of other lawyers and freedom loving Iranian , up to now have been ineffective and this brave freedom lover is still in prison and every day he gets closer to his death. I would also like to thank all Iranian who have supported Ganji , Their solidarity makes us more brave but our friends must do other means to support Ganji ".

"Today is the 27th day of Ganjis hunger strike" !

" I have met Ganji in three times and all this three times they prevent me to meet my client and on the fourth time when i met him a guard with the order of public prosecutor was illegaly present and since this was an illegal act , me and Ganji decided not to meet.

" I have won the Noble Peace Priz and this of course gave me more access to speak louder to everyone but i wish instead of Noble Peace Priz i would have recieved a golden key so that i could open the door of prisons and up to now all my effort for the release of Ganji was ineffective , but fortunately Mr. Zarfshan have recieved a short leave from prison for treatment in a hospital , But I dont know why they do not allow Ganji to come for same treatment" .

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Shireen Ebadi ( The Noble Peace Priz Winner) :Ganji has entered in his 25th days of hunger strike ! I would like to bring the special situation of Ganji to the officials in judiciary .

Tehran - ILNA

Akbar Ganji's lawyer said : Akbar Ganji has entered in his 25th day of hunger strike and because of not using medication together with hunger strike, brought difficult condition for him, and would at any time result to an unexpected situation .

Shireen Ebadi in speaking with ILNA repoter said : The reason that Ganji went on hunger strike is because during the last month all his effort through legal and peaceful mean for recieving medical treatment outside the prison was not achieved , Once more I call the officials in judiciary to pay attention to Ganjis situation , most especialy that he has spent 5 years jail that he calls it illegal sentencing. Ebadi said: Ganjis problem will be solved by resting in hospital , therefore why some people make the situation difficult and make this a wide spread problem.

Lawyer of Ganji continued : Ganji is ill and must rest in hospital and be medically attended, this isn't a big demand particularly that his prison term is coming to an end in a few months.

Monday, July 04, 2005

Is Iran # one country in the world that has most of its journalists in exile?

" Ensafali Hedayat" Journalist from the city of Tabriz has successfuly left Iran !

Hedayat's Daughter: My father who once has been arrested in "Ghaleh Babak" ceremony and was released , at the end decided to leave the country !

"Ensafali Hedayat" Journalist from Tabriz who was covering the news about " Ghaleh Babak " ceremony , and was disappeared since thursday the day after his report on this ceremony , in a telephone contact with his home have said that he successfuly and legally left the country .

" Fatemeh Hedayat " the daughter of this journalist in a contact with " ILNA " news agency said : My father in his telephone contact have said that on the day of ceremony once was arrested and then was released but finally decided to leave the country.

Mr. " Said Madani " and Mr. " Parviz Piran " on the ground of giving a social analysis on Iran to a French Radio have been summoned to court !

"Shargh " Online newspaper : Said Madani a social researcher and Parviz Piran member of the scientific board of the Alameh Tabatabaei University , yesterday based on a summon, attended to the division # 7 of the public prosecution of 21st region. This letter of summon was given to the " Herasat office - intelligence office " of the university and last Wednesday recieved by these two researcher . Mr. Mohammad Sharif is the lawyer for these two cultural personality. He has said that these two individual have been charged of giving a social analysis on Iran to a French Radio and currently are free with the bail.

English version of "Akbar Ganji's " recent letter from Evin prison translated by the weblog of " Zane Irani - Iranian Women" .

http://zaneirani.blogspot.com/

A Letter to Free People Every Where

Nineteen days have passed since I began my hunger strike. I have lost nineteen kilograms. I am imprisoned. I do not have permission to make phone calls or read newspapers. I have been denied visitation. I cannot walk outside my cell. The liars say they have no political prisoners. They say the political prisoners are not on hunger strike. They distort the facts by calling a cell a suite, saying that prisons are as comfortable as they can be in a hotel! Calling a donkey a parrot does not miraculously turn the donkey into a parrot! Prisoner is someone whose liberty has been taken away. Does calling a prison a hotel change the nature of the prison? A political prisoner is someone who speaks his conscience. We are arrested solely because we differ from what is permitted. Human rights organizations are aware how hundreds of people have been imprisoned only because of different views. The liars change their words. First they say Ganji is in solitary confinement. Next he is on hunger strike. Then they say Ganji has to be punished. Next they quote doctors that Ganji has asthma. Have the doctors prohibited Ganji from visitations, reading newspaper, making or receiving phone calls, breathing fresh air, or seeing the sunlight? Is it why you have sent a smuggler who is sentenced to 15 years in prison to my cell in order to murder me? If punishment is to force me show remorse for my manifests, you will not achieve your objective. Iranian Stalinists have inherited these techniques from Stalin's interrogators. I have written the republicanism manifests after much research and study. I will not take back my word. I will not show remorse. I will not stop my hunger strike until I reach my goal.Today my weary face reflects the true face of the Islamic republic of Iran's regime. Today I am the symbol of justice. Look closely and you see the regime's injustice. People wonder if I am the same person they once knew. Their torture has reduced my weight from 77kg to 58kg. They hide me from the world. They hide me from the journalists.

Khamanei will be directly responsible for my death. Mortazavi gets his orders from Khamanei via Hejazi (Khamenei's chief of staff). I am against Khamanei's unlimited lifetime rule because it is contradictory to the rule of people. I knew my statements would have ramifications and I was right. Even Rafsanjani, Karoubi, and Moin tasted a bit of Khamenei's democracy in this election. One-man rule contradicts democracy. In this system, one man orders and the rest have to obey. Mortazavi has told my wife that hundreds die everyday, Ganji could be one of them. These are Khamenei’s words that are spoken by Mortazavi. Ganji may die but seeking liberty, justices, democracy, hope, dream, and ideals will never die. Loving one another and making sacrifices will always stay alive.

Friday, July 01, 2005

"Akbar Ganji" from Evin prison: A letter to the Free people of the world !

Today is the 19th day of my hunger strike , at the begining of the month of " Khordad " ( Iranian calendar - mid May ) I was in hunger strike for 11days , From 21 " Khordad " -11June I started my second round of hunger strike, in total during 30 days of hunger strike , my weight has fallen from 77 kg to 58kg, meaning i lost 19 kg.You must know that until reaching to my goal , I would not stop my indefinite hunger strike, I wont write any " Tobeh Nameh- regret letter " while in prison since i believe it is a style of Stalin's interrogators which the Iranian Stalinists inherited ..... If I die in prison , The person in chrge of murdering me is Mr. Khameneie. Mortazavi is directly taking order through Mr. Hejazi from Mr. Khameneie.

The committee folowing the release of " Naser Zarafshan " by issuing a communique has announcedthat ; This political prisoner is in a normal situation but waiting for a surgery of his right kidney which makes his situation unstable, furthermore , everyone expect that he will be released soon for medical treatment outside of the prison.

In this statement indicated that the efforts for bringing the officials to agree for his release is effective.

About

IRAN WATCH CANADA online Is managed by Morteza Abdolalian (Mori) .It is the continuation of Iran Watch bulletin (print) since 2004 .It monitors daily news about Media,journalists and human rights in Iran.It defends press freedom,freedom of expression,Freedom of Information and Human Rights Activists in Iran and around the world.It has no affiliation to any political organizations.It is illegal using Iran Watch Canada without mentioning it as the source.